The feminist war on crime the unexpected role of women's liberation in mass incarceration

This interesting, densely written, challenging book illustrates the phenomenon of unintended consequences. Gruber (Univ. of Colorado Law School) argues that a series of well-meant campaigns to protect women from male aggression, domestic violence, and sexual assault have increasingly relied on developing new penal laws and expanding the breadth of existing criminal statutes with unfortunate and clearly problematic effects. The resulting rigidities in policing, prosecution, and sentencing have mainly put more people in prison (including, surprisingly, a substantial number of women) without offering women much in the way of either increased safety or protection. Reviewing the aims, methods, and legal effects of successive feminist movements from the late 19th century to the present, the author shows how issues of race, class, and xenophobia have influenced both the nature of campaigns and their outcomes, reinforcing regimes that effectively victimize working class, poor, immigrant, and minority communities and increase the reach of the carceral state. Following from Gruber's main point that now is the time to recognize that incarceration is not a solution, the state should concentrate on increasing the resources available to women affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. Summing Up: Highly recommended. General readers through faculty. --Naomi Braun Rosenthal, emeritus, Stonybrook University

Former public defender Gruber (Univ. of Colorado Law Sch.) analyzes ways in which the feminist movement has contributed to mass incarceration nationwide. Gruber asserts that white feminists joined the war on crime to protect women from rape and domestic violence but contends that this route has been counterproductive--in an uncompromising justice system, those from marginalized communities, including women of color, are especially vulnerable. She explores the history of violence against women and the responses of the first and second waves of feminism, and puts the onus on third-wave and future feminists to decide whether to continue down this path. The author uses real-life cases and policies to demonstrate how this movement has impacted both victims and offenders and offers suggestions for moving forward. VERDICT Gruber brings to light the ties between feminist movements and mass incarceration in this deeply researched, timely analysis. Likely too academic for casual readers, this offering is recommended for women's, gender studies, and criminal justice collections.--Mattie Cook, Flat River Community Lib., MI